Simple SEO for Photographers: Boost Your Website Traffic

Giliane Mansfeldt – Savvy Shutterbug

You’ve poured your heart into your website. The design feels on brand, your portfolio is full of images you’re proud of, and maybe you’ve even started a blog. But despite all that effort, your inbox is quiet. The bookings aren’t coming in. And you’re starting to wonder: what’s missing?

Chances are, the issue isn’t your work—it’s your visibility. In today’s world, beautiful photos aren’t enough to grow your photography business. People have to be able to find you, and that means showing up where they’re already looking: Google.

This is where SEO comes in.

I know, I know—search engine optimization can sound intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be. You don’t need to be tech-savvy or hire a marketing agency to get started. In fact, some of the most effective SEO strategies are simple, free, and completely doable even if you’re starting from scratch.

So in this post, I’m breaking down beginner-friendly SEO tips that photographers can use to increase their website traffic, improve search rankings, and start attracting more of the right clients—without paying for ads or spending hours a day on marketing.

Let’s make SEO work for you, not overwhelm you.

What SEO Actually Is (And Why You Should Care)

Let’s strip the jargon away and get clear on what we’re talking about.

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It’s the process of improving your website so that it appears higher in search engine results—most commonly, Google. The better your SEO, the more likely someone is to find you when they search for something like:

“Newborn photographer near me”
“Minneapolis brand photography”
“What to wear for maternity photos”

These people aren’t just scrolling—they’re actively looking for your services. That’s what makes SEO traffic so valuable. It’s high-intent. These visitors aren’t cold leads. They’re already halfway down the path toward booking—you just need to be there when they start looking.

The best part? Once your content is optimized, SEO works 24/7. It’s like having a little marketing assistant working in the background at all hours, quietly sending traffic to your site while you’re out shooting, editing, or enjoying your day off.

Step One: Do Basic Keyword Research

One of the biggest mistakes photographers make is assuming people are going to find their website just by Googling “photographer.” But unless you’re ranking on the first page (and let’s be real, most people never click past page one), that’s unlikely.

Instead, you want to target long-tail keywords—those slightly longer, more specific phrases that your ideal client is actually typing into Google.

For example:

Instead of “photographer,” think: “Twin Cities in-home newborn photographer”
Instead of “senior photos,” think: “natural light senior portraits MN”

So how do you know what people are searching for?

Start with Google autocomplete. Type in a basic phrase like “family photos” and see what Google suggests—those are commonly searched terms.
Use tools like Ubersuggest, Answer the Public, or Keywords Everywhere. These tools show you search volume, related phrases, and content ideas.
Think like a client. What would they type in? Not what you call your service, but how they’d describe it. For example, “first birthday photos” might be more searchable than “cake smash session.”

Create a list of 10–15 keywords or phrases you want to rank for—things that reflect your specialty, location, and what your clients are trying to find.

Step Two: Optimize Each Page of Your Website

Now that you’ve got some keywords, it’s time to put them to work—without overdoing it.

SEO isn’t about stuffing your site with keywords like a robot. It’s about using them naturally in key areas so Google understands what your page is about.

Here’s where to start:

Page Titles: These show up in search results, so make them specific. Instead of “Welcome,” try “Minneapolis Maternity Photographer – Natural Studio Sessions.”
Meta Descriptions: This is the short blurb that appears under your page title on Google. Make it clear, compelling, and include your keyword.
Headings and Subheadings (H1, H2, H3): Use your keyword in at least one main heading and a few subheadings if it fits naturally.
Body Text: Sprinkle keywords throughout your paragraphs—especially in the first 100 words of a page. Just make sure it sounds like something you’d actually say.
URLs: Keep them clean and keyword-rich when possible. Instead of “yourdomain.com/page1,” try “yourdomain.com/family-photos-minneapolis.”
Internal Links: Link between your blog posts and service pages. It helps with navigation and gives Google context about how your site is organized.

Each page of your site should have its own focus keyword. Don’t try to make every page rank for the same thing—it confuses search engines and waters down your results.

Step Three: Don’t Skip Image Optimization

As photographers, our websites are image-heavy. And while that’s great for showcasing your work, it can actually hurt your SEO if you’re not careful.

Images that are too large or poorly labeled slow down your site, confuse search engines, and make it harder for people to find you.

Here’s what to do:

Rename image files before uploading. Instead of “IMG_4921.jpg,” use something descriptive like “minnesota-family-photo-spring.jpg.”
Add alt text to every photo. Alt text helps visually impaired users understand your content—and it gives search engines more context. Use natural descriptions that include relevant keywords.
Compress your images. Use tools like TinyPNG or ShortPixel to reduce file size without killing quality. A faster site = better rankings.
Use proper dimensions. Don’t upload massive images and rely on your site to shrink them down. It slows everything down and eats up bandwidth.

These tweaks don’t take much time, but they have a huge impact on both your SEO and the overall experience for your website visitors.

Step Four: Start Blogging—Even If It’s Just Once a Month

Blogging is one of the most powerful SEO tools photographers overlook.

Think of every blog post as a new opportunity to show up in search results. Each one can target a different keyword or topic, answer a common question, or showcase a session in a way that builds trust and connection.

Google loves fresh content. So when you post regularly—even just once a month—you’re telling search engines that your site is active, relevant, and worth ranking.

Here’s how to make your blog work harder for you:

Write for your clients, not just other photographers.
Tips like “what to wear,” “how to prep for your session,” or “top locations for senior photos in St. Paul” are super valuable and highly searchable.
Use keywords in your titles, headers, and body copy.
Again, don’t overdo it—but make sure your content reflects what people are searching for.
Feature real client stories.
Not only does this add personality and trust, but it helps you rank for location-specific phrases and session types.
Link to your service pages.
If you blog about a branding session, link to your branding photography package. If it’s a family post, guide readers toward your booking process.
End with a call to action.
Don’t just showcase your work—invite readers to take the next step.

Even if you’re only blogging monthly, over time, that’s 12 new pages on your site—all indexed by Google and working to grow your traffic organically.

Step Five: Track Your Progress and Keep Going

SEO isn’t a one-time fix—it’s an ongoing process. But the good news is, it builds over time. The more consistent you are, the more momentum you’ll gain.

To track your efforts:

Use Google Analytics to see how many visitors are landing on your site, how long they’re staying, and where they’re coming from.
Use Google Search Console to find out which keywords you’re ranking for and which pages are getting impressions or clicks.
Review your top-performing content monthly. What’s working? What’s not? This tells you what kind of content your audience and Google both love.

Also: don’t forget to go back and refresh older content. Update blog posts with better keywords. Add new images. Improve your calls to action. SEO is about refinement as much as it is about creation.

Conclusion: Keep It Simple, Consistent, and Intentional

SEO doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. You don’t need to become an expert—you just need to show up with intention.

When you optimize your site with the right keywords, structure your pages clearly, blog regularly, and make small ongoing improvements, you’re laying the groundwork for long-term visibility. The kind that brings in consistent traffic, quality leads, and dream clients who are already halfway sold before they even reach out.

It’s not about doing everything at once. It’s about making steady progress. A little SEO today can lead to a whole lot of results down the line—and it doesn’t cost a dime.

So whether you’re brand new to SEO or just ready to start taking it more seriously, you’ve got this.

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